UAE's PHI-1 Satellite Launch to Enhance Global Space Ties

Dubai, UAE – The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) is set to achieve a remarkable feat in international space collaboration with the PHI-1 launch, the UAE’s inaugural modular satellite under the Payload Hosting Initiative (PHI). Scheduled for takeoff on 19 November 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, this satellite hosts payloads from Bahrain, Nepal, and Sharjah.

Designed and built entirely in Dubai, PHI-1 symbolizes the UAE’s goal of making space more accessible. It offers international partners opportunities to test cutting-edge technologies and engage in significant research, while simultaneously promoting innovation and scientific cooperation. This mission is in line with global efforts to broaden the inclusivity of space exploration, allowing countries to validate their ideas in orbit.

PHI-1 is structured on a 12U CubeSat platform, weighing up to 20 kilograms with an operational lifespan of one year. Its modular design supports a variety of technology demonstrations, ranging from secure communications to environmental monitoring from space. Bahrain’s AMAN payload will test Advanced Encryption Standard protocols, while Nepal’s LoRa Satellite System aims to explore satellite-based LoRa communications, providing valuable experience for budding engineers.

On the local front, MBRSC is contributing a New-Space Video Camera for Earth observation and technology validation, while the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences & Technology (SAAST) is providing a student-led PCB payload to measure temperature and orientation in space. This blend of international and local contributions emphasizes the collaborative nature of this mission and the commitment to developing global talent.

Constructed and integrated at MBRSC facilities in Dubai, PHI-1 showcases a fully local effort in its design, assembly, and testing. Once reaching Low Earth Orbit at 500 kilometers, the satellite will relay data back to MBRSC’s Ground Station and Mission Control Centre, facilitating continued research, education, and technology advancement for all stakeholders involved.

With PHI-1, the UAE underscores its emerging position in creating a more inclusive space ecosystem, fostering innovation-led economies, and enhancing capabilities in science and technology. This mission reaffirms the nation’s dedication to sustainable development, global collaboration, and expanding opportunities for future engineers and researchers worldwide.